5/19/2017: M. Zuhdi Jasser, M.D. joins Americas Newsroom to discuss President Trump’s trip to the Middle East & what to expect.

 

 

Press Release: American Muslim reformist calls for a U.S. Saudi reset based on universal human rights.

PRESS RELEASE
American Islamic Forum for Democracy

Contact: Mischel Yosick
480 225 7473 mischel@zliberty.com

May 18, 2017

American Muslim reformist calls for a U.S. Saudi reset based on universal human rights.

The American Islamic Forum for Democracy (AIFD), the nation’s most prominent organization of reform-minded Muslims, expressed concern about President Trump’s visit today to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and urged the administration to take a new approach to relations with that country.

M. Zuhdi Jasser, MD and founder of the American Islamic Forum for Democracy (AIFD), today expresses his concerns below:

“President Trump has the opportunity to shift the way our country handles relations with Saudi Arabia. While the Kingdom is certainly an important ally, it is also the chief exporter of extremist ideology, proponent of mass human rights violations, and a refuge for terrorists and their sympathizers. For too long, our country has remained unconditionally loyal to Saudi Arabia, refusing to hold the Kingdom accountable for its abuses of its position as our ally. I encourage President Trump to shift focus on multiple fronts: 1) to make clear that he is aware that Saudi Arabia is making every effort to silence dissidents and Muslim reformers; and 2) that the United States will seek to ‘reset’ its relationship with the Kingdom, but through a policy of accountability and mutual respect. We further request that President Trump demand the immediate release of Raif Badawi and other dissidents languishing in Saudi jails, as a first step in shifting Saudi policy toward freedom of conscience and human rights. We stand ready to support wise policy from the Trump administration based on universal human rights, our moral leadership as well as our shared interests. We welcome any shifts that signal a meaningful change in ending the Kingdom’s stronghold over Muslims worldwide.”

Dr. Jasser concluded, “Americans need to understand that Saudi Arabia’s gulf state “Petro-Islam” is the root cause of Muslim radicalization and anti- Western sentiment around the world. Until this is addressed globally, the cycle will never end.”
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May 11, 2017: M. Zuhdi Jasser, M.D. discusses blasphemy charges agains Basuki Tjahaja Purnama in this Borderless article

U.S. Muslim reformer blasts Indonesia for jailing Christian governor on trumped-up blasphemy charge

Indonesia earlier this week threw a Christian outgoing governor in the slammer for “blasphemy.”

Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, also known as Ahok,  was convicted earlier this week of the “crime” of saying the Koran allows non-Muslims to rule over Muslims.

The comment was followed by months of protests by radicals — some demonstrations saw hundreds of thousands of people — calling for Ahok to be punished.

Experts said Ahok committed no crime, and that his conviction amounted to the government caving to the demands of radical Islamist riff-raff.

Many Indonesians are wondering whether this is just the beginning, and whether radical Islamists will grow even more powerful, at a time when radical Islamist ideology is spreading throughout Southeast Asia. 

Across the ocean in the United States, moderate Muslims are concerned.

Zuhdi Jasser, an American Mulism reformist and president of the American Islamic Forum for Democracy, told Borderless News Online that Indonesia is plagued by the worsening threat of radical Islam.

Read full article. 

Press Release: Sentencing is a stark reminder of the global Islamist threat.

PRESS RELEASE
American Islamic Forum for Democracy

Contact: Mischel Yosick
480 225 7473 mischel@zliberty.com

May 10, 2017

Sentencing of Indonesian Christian Governor of Jakarta on blasphemy charge is a reminder of the rising global Islamist threat.

The American Islamic Forum for Democracy (AIFD) condemned the sentencing of an Indonesian Christian politician, Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, for “blasphemy.” The sentencing of Mr. Basuki, the Jakarta governor, also known as “Ahok” was heavier than what prosecutors asked for – rather than the two years probation they requested, he was sentenced to two years in prison.

M. Zuhdi Jasser, M.D., founder and president of AIFD, released the following statement:

“The fact that Mr. Basuki was even brought up on charges of ‘blasphemy’ – a truly invented ‘crime’ – is horrifying. The reality of his sentencing should alarm all people, not just Christians, and not just Indonesians.

Indonesia has long enjoyed the reputation of being a model of Muslim moderation and pluralism, yet its problem of Islamism is real: from soaring rates of female genital mutilation (FGM) to violent protests against authors and artists for ‘blasphemy,’ the country is undergoing an ugly and dangerous radicalization that will hurt, kill, and traumatize its citizens and leak across its borders, threatening global security. Mr. Basuki was a governor whose election had only improved Indonesia’s global reputation. His sentencing proves that those who are loyal to Islamist forces no longer care about upholding this image for Indonesia, instead they seek a more sinister role in the world.

Ahok’s case again proves that the nation is on the front lines of this global existential battle against Islamism.

We urge Indonesian citizens to challenge their religious establishments – particularly the Nahdlatul Ulama – to take swift and bold action to condemn and dis-empower those who support and promote punishments for blasphemy, and to demand that their government do the same. I visited Indonesia during my time on the U.S. Commission for International Religious Freedom, and know that this evil does not represent them. Their government must do better to protect and represent the will of its people.”

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M. Zuhdi Jasser, M.D. is a guest on Arizona Originals with Jason Issak

Dr. Zuhdi Jasser – American Islamic Forum for Democracy and Physician

Today’s guest, Dr. Zuhdi Jasser, has served as a US Navy physician, was hand selected to serve for two years as one of three attending physicians for the US Congress (including the US Supreme Court Justices), and has practiced medicine in Arizona.

Click here to listen to the podcast.

 

 

 

5/5/2017 : M. Zuhdi Jasser, M.D. joins Fox Business’ Making Money discussing refugees and how the influx into the U.S. has decreased under President Trump and the importance of ideological vetting.

5/4/2017: M Zuhdi Jasser, M.D. joins i24 News’ discussing the recent meeting of President Trump and Mahmoud Abbas and the anti-Semitic programs on Palestinian TV and other outlets.